‘I am and we all know it. Even the doc says it’s fifty-fifty whether I’ll come through the op.’
Hunter’s eyes burned.
‘It’s okay. If we’re good now I’m at peace with whichever way it goes. Given a choice I don’t want to leave y’all yet and especially the grandkids. I’m soft and let Caleb and Ava do anything they want. Ironic, isn’t it?’ His father’s stare intensified. ‘There’s something else up with you, isn’t there? I bet it’s a good woman and about time too.’
With a sheepish grin plastered all over his face he talked about Laura. ‘You’d better hang on a bit longer so you can meet her.’
‘I’ll do my best.’
You always did in your own way, he thought to himself.
They fell into a comfortable silence until his mother arrived to shoo him out. Hunter calculated the time difference and decided to call Laura. Having someone special to share his worries with altered everything.
* * *
When Henry told her he’d seen a great last-minute deal to Nashville advertised he had asked what was stopping her going when Hunter clearly needed her there.
Thanks to his persistence Laura was now clutching onto the plane’s armrests for dear life as they shuddered on their descent into Nashville. For the first time ever she’d thrown professionalism to the wind and begged for ten days off, promising to work all the unsociable hours going when she returned if her colleagues would cover for her. Right now she regretted not telling Hunter about her impetuous decision because she’d love nothing better than to see his handsome, smiling face in the arrivals hall. Hunter had sounded desperately alone when they spoke, and she was afraid the tentative bridge he’d built with his family wasn’t strong enough to support him.
After all the landing formalities Laura should have been dead on her feet but years of shift work combined with almost overwhelming excitement at the prospect of seeing Hunter again brushed away any hint of tiredness. She thrust the scrap of paper with the hospital’s information at the taxi driver and fell into the back seat to snatch a quick cat nap on the way. Years ago she trained herself to put sleep in the bank when the opportunity arose.
‘Here you are, ma’am. Go in the main door and ask for directions at the hospitality desk. You’ll want the fifth floor.’
Looking up at the towering skyscraper with its tinted windows and signs for valet parking she thought the driver hadmade a mistake and brought her to a fancy hotel instead of a hospital. ‘Thanks.’ That thought was confirmed as she entered the marble-tiled lobby, set off with plush leather couches, edgy artwork and massive potted plants. What would she do if Hunter had gone home for a break? Had he even mentioned her to his family?
‘Laura? Am I hallucinating?’ Hunter, grey-faced and strained, stared at her in disbelief. In seconds his massive arms tightened around her and his wonderful, woodsy scent brought tears to her eyes.
‘I thought I’d surprise you.’ She’d explain the full story later but for now nothing mattered except the joy in his deep blue eyes.
‘My brother isn’t the only surprised one.’
Another man’s deep drawl startled Laura and she eased out of Hunter’s grasp. The resemblance was obvious, although Brett McQueen was older, shorter and less muscular.
‘You must be Ms Williams.’
‘Laura, please.’ They shook hands and she registered the smooth skin of a man who worked a desk instead of on the land. His pale blue hooded eyes were wary. ‘I thought Hunter might appreciate—’
‘—You don’t have to explain yourself.’ Brett’s quiet statement put him firmly in her corner and a slash of heat coloured his hollow cheeks.
She couldn’t believe she’d forgotten to ask after their father in all the confusion and her question drew a faint smile from both men.
‘He’s recovering well and back to ordering everyone around.’ Hunter’s reply implied amusement rather than animosity. ‘They reckon on keeping him another couple of days before sendin’ him home. We left Mama sittin’ with him while we grabbed a late dinner.’
‘Why don’t I leave you two to chat and you can come up when you’re ready?’
She smiled at Brett’s offer. No doubt he wanted to give his parents advance warning of her arrival along with his first impressions.
‘Nah, we’ll go together.’ Hunter grasped her hand. ‘You good?’
‘Of course.’
Upstairs she realised they’d underestimated Brett when a petite blonde flung open a door and beamed over at Hunter. Almost certainly this was who he’d been texting in the lift.
‘You bring that little girl over to meet me right now.’
Martha McQueen struck Laura as younger than she expected but on closer examination she suspected a plastic surgeon of being involved in the mild deceit. She stifled a sneeze when Hunter’s mother pulled her into a perfumed hug.
‘So you’re the cute little old Brit who’s won my boy’s heart.’
